Which invariably begs the question: What qualities make the iconic Birkin the real deal Holyfield? I chat up Kirby on the heated topic and with 12 years of consignment business under belt -- she knows a thing or two about the knockoff industry and what makes the classic Birkin the so special.

I've never actually seen a Hermès Birkin bag. Most of what I know about these accessories, which I'm told go for as much as $150,000 each, is based on Mark Khaisman's colored packing tape mock-ups, now on view at Philadelphia's Pentimenti gallery.

Well-dressed women are the norm here, but my new neighbors in particular
have that certain je ne sais quoi which is just so Parisian. Their outfits are usually paired with perfectly matching manicured hands and feet -- they seem to excel at color coordination. Not to mention the "perfect" accessory.
Never have I seen so many Birkin bags being proudly paraded around. On one of my first shopping excursions up to the rue de Passy, I counted at least eight in the first 10 minutes. (The Goyard canvas tote comes in at a close second place.)
Their grooming is impeccable: Most women here always look like they recently stepped out from the hair salon. I just don't know where they find the time for all this, but they do.